Dodgers: Lowe suffered through an unlucky three-run fifth inning against the Angels in his most recent start. All five hits that inning were ground balls, three not leaving the infield, but it was enough to beat him. He leads the league in complete games, but both were losses as his club scored one run total on his behalf. He struck out six without a walk.

Cubs: Lilly hung on long enough for the win in his last start against the White Sox. The lefty gave up three runs on six hits over seven innings while striking out six. Lilly leads the National League in strikeout/walk ratio, fanning 54 while walking just 10. His start was pushed back because the Cubs didn't want to have their three lefty starters going back to back to back.

COMMENTS:

The series win over Milwaukee wasn't exactly dominating (one 3-2 victory, one 5-1 victory largely driven by a one-inning outburst), but we'll take it. So now we host the sub-.500 Cubbies, starting tonight with Lowe on the mound. Given Saturday we get the nationally televised game with Lurch on the mound, a win tonight from D-Lowe is the only way we will feel any shred of pride before America watches a whupping. Tonight is a critical game.

The Cubs lead the all-time head-to-head series, 1,005-1,004. And when Dodger fans' memories of 1988 seem ancient (they are), just compare that with Cubs' fans memories of 1908. Mr. Kurtz! The horror, the horror!

And tonight, SoSG will again be at the game, field level, third base side. You'll recognize us by the shirt we're wearing (trust us). Stop by and say hi!

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comments:

Last time I was at the game we were also down at field level on the third base side, but that was likely only a one-time deal, I fear. This time we'll be up in the blue, er, I mean green seats. I'm still not used to the color changes to the seats.

I find it rather disturbing that the Cubs have the edge in the all-time series given that the Dodgers have had more success for most of the two teams history. Maybe the Cubs beat up on the Dodgers in the 19 oughts.

For once, I am yelling at Grady for a different reason--Why would you pull Lowe after 6? He's pitched two complete games before this, and pinch hitting for Betemit as worthless. An awful decision by Grady will cost us another game.